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Tuesday, September 24th, 2024
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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Read the Bible

King James Version

Colossians 2:11

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Circumcision;   Perfection;   Regeneration;   Sanctification;   Scofield Reference Index - Flesh;   Thompson Chain Reference - Circumcision;   Error;   Forsaking Sin;   Sin;   Sin-Saviour;   Spiritual;   Transgression;   The Topic Concordance - Circumcision;   Forgiveness;   Jesus Christ;   Resurrection;   Victory/overcoming;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Circumcision;   New Birth, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Circumcision;   Flesh;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Baptize, Baptism;   Building;   Church, the;   Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of;   Magic;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Baptism;   Circumcision;   Joshua;   Passover;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Colossians;   Cross, Crucifixion;   Infant Baptism;   Ordinances;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Baptism;   Circumcision;   Gnosticism;   Knowledge;   Law;   Sacraments;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Angels;   Bond ;   Circumcision;   Colossians, Epistle to the;   Elements ;   Flesh (2);   Justification (2);   Law;   Presence (2);   Regeneration (2);   Sacraments;   Sacrifice (2);   Type;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Circumcision;   Joshua, Book of;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Circumcision;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Baptism (Lutheran Doctrine);   Colossians, Epistle to the;   Foreskin;   Pauline Theology;   Sacraments;   Salvation;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Flesh;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for July 21;   Every Day Light - Devotion for April 7;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
Legacy Standard Bible
in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ,
Simplified Cowboy Version
When you saddled up with him, your sinful nature was circumcised, not a part of your body.
Bible in Basic English
In whom you had a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;
Darby Translation
in whom also ye have been circumcised with circumcision not done by hand, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of the Christ;
Christian Standard Bible®
You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Messiah.
World English Bible
in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
By whom also ye are circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ:
Weymouth's New Testament
In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not performed by hand, when you threw off your sinful nature in true Christian circumcision;
King James Version (1611)
In whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without handes, in putting off the body of the sinnes of the flesh, by the Circumcision of Christ:
Literal Translation
in whom also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made by hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
in whom also ye are circumcysed with circumcision without handes, by puttynge of the synfull body of the flesh: (namely) with the circumcysion of Christ,
Mace New Testament (1729)
by whom also ye have obtain'd the true spiritual circumcision, not effected by men, when you were by a christian circumcision divested of all your carnal affections,
THE MESSAGE
Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.
Amplified Bible
In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature],
American Standard Version
in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;
Revised Standard Version
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
in whom also ye are circucised with circumcision made mith out hondes by puttinge of the sinfull boddy of the flesshe thorow the circumcision yt is in Christ
Update Bible Version
in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;
Webster's Bible Translation
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Young's Literal Translation
in whom also ye were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh in the circumcision of the Christ,
New Century Version
Also in Christ you had a different kind of circumcision, a circumcision not done by hands. It was through Christ's circumcision, that is, his death, that you were made free from the power of your sinful self.
New English Translation
In him you also were circumcised—not, however, with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
In Him you were also circumcised in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.
Contemporary English Version
Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body.
Complete Jewish Bible
Also it was in union with him that you were circumcised with a circumcision not done by human hands, but accomplished by stripping away the old nature's control over the body. In this circumcision done by the Messiah,
English Standard Version
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Geneva Bible (1587)
In whome also yee are circumcised with circumcision made without handes, by putting off the sinfull body of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ,
George Lamsa Translation
In whom also you are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in putting off the sinful body by the circumcision of Christ:
Hebrew Names Version
in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Messiah;
International Standard Version
In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without humanhuman">[fn] hands by stripping off the corrupt nature in the circumcision performed by Christ.Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2:29; 6:6; Ephesians 4:22; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 3:8-9;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And in him you have been circumcised with the circumcision which is not with hands, by the putting away of the flesh of sins, (even) by the circumcision of the Meshiha.
Murdock Translation
And in him ye have been circumcised with a circumcision without hands, by casting off the flesh of sins, by a circumcision of the Messiah.
New King James Version
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins [fn] of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
New Living Translation
When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.
New Life Bible
When you became a Christian, you were set free from the sinful things of the world. This was not done by human hands. You were set free from the sins of your old self by what was done in Christ's body.
English Revised Version
in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;
New Revised Standard
In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
In whom, ye have also been circumcised with a circumcision not done by hand, in the despoiling of the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Christ, -
Douay-Rheims Bible
In whom also you are circumcised with circumcision not made by hand in despoiling of the body of the flesh: but in the circumcision of Christ.
Lexham English Bible
in whom also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made by hands, by the removal of the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcisio made without handes, by puttyng of the body of sinnes of the fleshe, in the circumcision of Christe:
Easy-to-Read Version
In Christ you had a different kind of circumcision, one that was not done by human hands. That is, you were made free from the power of your sinful self. That is the kind of circumcision Christ does.
New American Standard Bible
and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ,
Good News Translation
In union with Christ you were circumcised, not with the circumcision that is made by human beings, but with the circumcision made by Christ, which consists of being freed from the power of this sinful self.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
In whom also ye ben circumcidid in circumcisioun not maad with hoond, in dispoyling of the bodi of fleisch, but in circumcisioun of Crist;

Contextual Overview

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

whom: Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4, Romans 2:29, Philippians 3:3

without: Mark 14:58, Acts 7:48, Acts 17:24, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Ephesians 2:11, Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 9:24

in putting: Colossians 3:8, Colossians 3:9, Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22

by: Luke 2:21, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 4:4, Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 2:10-18

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:10 - Every Leviticus 12:3 - General Leviticus 26:41 - their uncircumcised Joshua 5:2 - circumcise Ezekiel 44:7 - uncircumcised in heart John 3:6 - born of the flesh John 3:10 - and knowest Acts 7:51 - uncircumcised Acts 15:1 - Except Romans 2:26 - General Romans 3:30 - General Romans 6:4 - even Romans 7:24 - the body of this 1 Corinthians 12:13 - by Galatians 5:16 - and Hebrews 8:2 - which

Cross-References

Genesis 10:7
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
Genesis 10:29
And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
Genesis 25:18
And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.
1 Samuel 15:7
And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

In whom also ye are circumcised,.... This is said to prevent an objection that might be made to the perfection of these Gentile believers, because they were not circumcised; for the Jews thought that perfection lay in circumcision, at least that there could be no perfection without it:

"great is circumcision (say they x), for notwithstanding all the commands which Abraham our father did, he was not called perfect until he was circumcised; as it is written, Genesis 17:1; "walk before me, and be thou perfect:"''

which objection the apostle anticipates, by observing, that they were circumcised in Christ their head, who is made unto them sanctification; and by him as the meritorious and efficient cause of their regeneration and conversion, or internal circumcision, the antitype and perfection of circumcision in the flesh; for the former, and not the latter, is here meant: these believers were circumcised in Christ, or by him; not with external circumcision, which was peculiar to the Jews, the natural seed of Abraham, prefigured Christ, and had its accomplishment in him, the body and substance of all the shadows of the ceremonial law; and so was now nothing, either to Jew or Gentile: as for the Gentiles, they never were obliged unto it; and as for the Jews, it was an insupportable yoke to them, binding them to keep the whole law of Moses, which they could not do, and so it made nothing perfect; but Christ the substance of that, and the end of the whole law, has, the head of the body the church, in whom all the members of it are complete, and are circumcised:

with the circumcision made without hands: which is that of the heart, in the spirit; every man, though he may be circumcised in the flesh, is uncircumcised in heart, until he is circumcised by Christ and his Spirit; which is done, when he is pricked to the heart, and thoroughly convinced of sin, and the exceeding sinfulness of it; when the callousness and hardness of his heart is taken off and removed, and the iniquity of it is, laid open, the plague and corruption in it discerned, and all made naked and bare to the sinner's view; and when he is in pain on account of it, is broken and groans under a sense of it, and is filled with shame for it, and loathing and abhorrence of it: now this is effected not "by the hand of man", as the Ethiopic version reads it, as outward circumcision was; this is not done by any creature whatever; not by angels, who rejoice at the repentance of sinners, but cannot produce it; nor by ministers of the Gospel, who at most are but instruments of regeneration and conversion; nor by men themselves; this is not by might or power of man, by the strength of his free will, but by the Spirit of God: for though men are sometimes exhorted to circumcise themselves, as in Deuteronomy 10:16, in order to convince them of the corruption of their nature, and the need they stand in of spiritual circumcision; yet whereas there is an utter disability in them to effect it, and they need the power and grace of God for that purpose, the Lord has graciously promised his people to do it himself for them, Deuteronomy 30:6; so that this circumcision is in the name sense made without hands, as the human nature of Christ is said to be a tabernacle not made with hands, that, is of men, but of God, being what God has pitched, and not man; and it stands opposed to circumcision in the flesh, which was made with hands, Ephesians 2:11; and by some instrument, as a sharp knife or stone:

in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh. The Vulgate Latin version leaves out the word "sins", and so the Alexandrian copy and some others; and the Syriac version the word "body": by "the flesh" is meant corrupt nature, which is born of the flesh, and propagated in a carnal way, and is the source and spring of all sin; by "the sins" of it are intended the works of the flesh, the inward motions of sin in the members, and the outward actions of it: these are said to be a "body", because sin consists of various parts and members, as a body does; and these united together, and which receive frequent and daily additions; and which are committed and yielded to by the members of the natural body; and which body and bulk of sins arising from the corruption of nature are compared to a garment, and a very filthy one it is; in the putting off of which lies spiritual circumcision: this is done several ways; partly by Christ's wrapping himself in the sins of his people, bearing them in his body, and becoming a sacrifice for them, whereby the old man was crucified, and the body of sin destroyed; and by an application of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, to the consciences of his people, whereby their iniquities are caused to pass from them, and they are clothed with change of raiment; and by the power of his Spirit, laying sin under the restraints of grace, not suffering it to have dominion, but causing grace to reign through righteousness; and by the saints themselves, under the influence of grace, who put off the old man with his deeds, according to the former conversation:

by the circumcision of Christ; not that with which Christ was circumcised at eight days old, that he might appear to be truly man, and a son of Abraham, and under the law, and to fulfil all the righteousness of it, but that which he by his Spirit is the author of, and what is before expressed.

x Misn. Nedarim, c. 3. sect. 11.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

In whom - In connection with whom, or in virtue of whose religion.

Ye are circumcised - You have received that which was designed to be represented by circumcision - the putting away of sin; Notes, Philippians 3:3.

With the circumcision made without hands - That made in the heart by the renunciation of all sin. The Jewish teachers insisted on the necessity of the literal circumcision in order to salvation (compare Ephesians 2:11); and hence, this subject is so often introduced into the writings of Paul, and he is at so much pains to show that, by believing in Christ, all was obtained which was required in order to salvation. Circumcision was an ordinance by which it was denoted that all sin was to be cut off or renounced, and that he who was circumcised was to be devoted to God and to a holy life. All this, the apostle says, was obtained by the gospel; and, consequently they had all that was denoted by the ancient rite of circumcision. What Christians had obtained, moreover, related to the heart; it was not a mere ordinance pertaining to the flesh.

In putting off the body of the sins of the flesh - That is, in renouncing the deeds of the flesh, or becoming holy. The word “body,” here, seems to be used with reference to circumcision. In that ordinance, the body of the FLesH was subjected to the rite; with Christians, it is the body of Sin that is cut off.

By the circumcision of Christ - Not by the fact that Christ was circumcised, but that we have that kind of circumcision which Christ established, to wit, the renouncing of sin. The idea of the apostle here seems to be, that since we have thus been enabled by Christ to renounce sin, and to devote ourselves to God, we should not, be induced by any plausible arguments to return to an ordinance pertaining to the flesh, as if that were needful for salvation.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 11. In whom also ye are circumcised — All that was designed by circumcision, literally performed, is accomplished in them that believe through the Spirit and power of Christ. It is not a cutting off of a part of the flesh, but a putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ; he having undergone and performed this, and all other rites necessary to qualify him to be a mediator between God and man; for, being made under the law, he was subject to all its ordinances, and every act of his contributed to the salvation of men. But by the circumcision of Christ, the operation of his grace and Spirit may be intended; the law required the circumcision of the flesh, the Gospel of Christ required the circumcision of the heart. The words των αμαρτιων, of the sins, are omitted by ABCD*EFG, several others, by the Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and Itala; and by Clement, Athanasius, Basil, Cyril, and several others. Griesbach has omitted them.


 
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